One can hardly argue with the fact that building and construction belong to the list of the most socially important industries worldwide. Thanks to the representatives of this industry, we have housing, commercial buildings, roads, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, entertainment facilities, and other constructions that make our lives so comfortable and established.
There is another useful role that the building industry plays in our lives: construction companies are one of the largest employers in each country’s economy. Enhancing job creation fuels economic development, resulting in societal progress and well-being.
If you’ve decided to join the ranks of these extremely useful professionals, we are here to guide you through the intricacies of making a successful career in building.
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The building and construction industry hosts a huge array of roles, thus providing career opportunities for individuals with both academic and vocational backgrounds. However, if you aim at high-paying positions, the starting salary may not impress you that much – it will cost you several years of hard work. So, what exactly roles in construction and building are promising? Let’s find out.
The UK’s building industry is among the UK’s best-paying sectors. According to well-known job board statistics, the median construction salary in 2023 stands at £42-45,000 per year or £21.67 per hour. Entry-level positions are less lucrative and start at £30,000 per year. However, the salaries of individuals with some years of experience together with well-developed leadership and problem-solving skills may well reach £66,000 per annum. And yet, this is not the ceiling.
The success of a construction project usually depends on the collective effort of a big team of professionals. The part each of them performs may not be that big, however, it’s always important. Those who want to exceed the average salary limits should focus on broadening their skill set. Individuals who can see the big picture within the project are always more valued than those who limit themselves to immediate tasks.
It won’t be surprising if we say that the highest-paying construction jobs are those that include managerial responsibilities. Such roles tend to require a combination of a university degree and several years of hands-on experience. To be more specific, there are some examples:
With an average salary of £85,000 per annum (and a maximum of over £100,000), a commercial manager oversees the budget within a construction project. A background in Quantity Surveying and engineering will play into your hands, as well as outstanding negotiation and risk-management skills.
A senior project manager’s average salary is around £70,000 but can sometimes reach £100,000 per year. However, the list of responsibilities is also long: overseeing all the areas of the project, consulting architects, coordinating labourers, dealing with unforeseen circumstances, solving problems both outside and within the team, and even more. The main aim is to organise a smooth, cost-effective, and timely completion of a project.
With an average salary of £40,000, experienced and skillful architects in the UK may well make £68,000 per year. Their list of responsibilities comprises negotiating with clients, restoring buildings, or designing buildings and the spaces around them from scratch. To become a competitive architect in the UK market, one should be able to masterfully combine safety, functionality, and aesthetic designs in their projects.
On average, a quantity surveyor in the UK makes £50,000 per annum. If you upgrade to a senior quantity surveyor, your salary can grow up to £62,000 per year. Quantity surveyors deal with the financial aspect of a project: they estimate the costs and calculate possible risks. Working closely with designers, architects, and project managers, quantity surveyors have to ensure that the construction work stays within the budget and at the same time, meets quality standards.
As we see above, building a career in the construction industry may well be rewarding, however, it requires preparation. For those inspired by the salary prospects, here are some ideas on what to consider before starting your career in building.
In this industry, educational qualifications play a really important role. The harder one works on improving their skill set, the brighter their professional future will be. Taking into account the high pace at which the building industry is developing, a great building and construction specialist has to constantly keep up with all the trends, master them, and confidently put them into practice. Let’s have a closer look at what it takes to become an architect.
According to the GOV.UK, there are several ways to get into the job, including completing a university course, doing an apprenticeship, or working towards the role.
If you decide to start with a university course, first and foremost, choose a degree that is recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Your further steps will include:
An architect degree apprenticeship will take you 2 years to complete, however, these are typically very demanding and energy-consuming 2 years. One has to combine workplace learning and academic study at one of the approved universities. To learn more about the architecture apprenticeship opportunities, visit the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) official website.
As with any other industry, building and construction has also some pitfalls. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with some of them before jumping into the field:
And for the dessert, some ideas on how to land a lucrative job in the building and construction industry.
Here are some options for fruitful networking:
The list of reputable professional associations in the UK includes:
We also highly recommend resorting to non-standard job search methods. Here are some ideas.
Apply to companies outside of the UK. Due to the shortage of construction specialists, they may offer a broader range of employment opportunities. Furthermore, international experience will only add value to your professional profile.
Check projects in countries with booming economies. Due to the rapid growth of the construction industry, there is usually a high demand for skilled construction and building professionals.
Research specialised niches, namely those that focus on sustainable construction techniques, smart cities, or renewable energy projects. Specialists with fresh views are always welcome there.
Explore job opportunities at engineering firms and construction consultancies, both inside the UK and globally. Such organisations often have projects worldwide and offer interesting career opportunities.
Finally, we’ve prepared a few tips to help you secure fair compensation in your new workplace:
